Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Benue State revealed that 411 Nigerians perished in 2024 while attempting to collect fuel from overturned tankers.
This alarming statistic was shared by Sector Commander Steve Ayodele during a town hall meeting in Makurdi on Tuesday, aimed at addressing crash prevention with trailer and tanker drivers.
Ayodele noted that these deaths accounted for 7.6% of all road traffic fatalities in 2024, describing the figure as a stark reminder of the broader consequences.
“Tanker explosions don’t just claim lives; they cause severe burns, destroy property, and plunge families into economic distress,” he said, speaking at the event themed “ _Discourage Fuel Scooping and Other Anti-Road Traffic Attitudes.”_
He highlighted that fuel scooping, reckless driving, disregard for traffic regulations, and roadside trading near accident-prone areas have escalated preventable crashes into catastrophic disasters.
“Instead of treating spilled fuel as a danger, many rush to collect it, leading to tragic fires,” Ayodele explained.
Contributing factors to these incidents include unregulated driving hours, overloaded vehicles, and insufficient safety checks, according to the commander.
He urged drivers, community leaders, and government bodies to foster safer road behaviors to protect lives.
Head of Operations at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Babalola Sheba, condemned fuel scooping for its environmental and health impacts.
“Spilled fuel contaminates soil, water, and air, while inhaling fumes can lead to respiratory issues and skin problems,” Sheba stated.
To curb risks, NMDPRA plans to enforce anti-spill safety valves and speed limiters on fuel tankers and has introduced a color-coding system: light blue for petrol, deep yellow and light blue for diesel, deep yellow for kerosene, black for aviation fuel, and deep green for biofuels.
Emmanuel Ogbanje, State Coordinator for the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) in Benue, stressed the need for a safety-first culture. “Preventing fuel scooping starts with regular vehicle inspections, compliance with axle load limits, and adherence to traffic laws,” he said.
Ogbanje advocated for ongoing public education and collaboration among stakeholders to promote road safety statewide and beyond.
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read Full Story…
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings